Kicking net

ABSTRACT

The invention is a kicking net that includes a frame and a net. The kicking net allows a ball to be snapped through a base portion of the frame without touching the frame or the net. This allows the users to snap or hike a ball through the kicking net in order to simulate a complete field goal attempt or punt.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Priority is claimed to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/365,251, filed on Jul. 16, 2010, titled “Kicking Net”, by inventor Lawrence Tynes, the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by this reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates, generally, to a kicking net. More specifically, the invention relates to a kicking net that is collapsible, captures the kicked ball, and allows a snapper to snap the ball to a holder for more easily practicing field goals.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Kicking nets have been used for decades by place kickers and punters to practice kicking and punting without the need for a lot of space and without having to go and retrieve the ball from far away each time a ball is kicked. Typically, a kicking net consists of a net that is loosely bounded by a stationary frame. The user kicks or punts the ball into the net and the net arrests the balls flight and returns the ball to the ground.

One of the primary problems with currently available kicking nets is that they do not allow a place kicker to simulate the direct backward snap of the ball from the center to the holder, before the ball is kicked. The snap is not possible because the net itself is necessarily positioned directly between the snapper and the holder and, thus, would be in the way.

Another limitation of the currently available kicking nets is that they cause the ball to drop to the ground where it may roll away or get in the way of the holder or kicker. Additionally, this makes it difficult to retrieve the ball, which must be located and picked up from the ground. Regarding those currently available kicking nets that capture the ball after it is kicked, these nets typically have a secondary mesh bag that is part of the net. The mesh bag captures the balls, but retrieving the balls from the mesh bag is a difficult and time consuming process.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,836,542, issued to Crawley and 5,193,802, issued to Saltus, disclose two typical kicking nets that are formed out of a support frames and have a loose net for arresting the ball and returning it to the kicker. Although both Crawley and Saltus show that there may be some space below the net, the space provided is not great enough to allow the ball to be snapped under the net. Additionally, these references fail to disclose a sturdy frame that is collapsible and may optionally capture the ball in an easy to retrieve portion of the net.

Thus, what is needed is a kicking net that allows the snapper to directly snap the ball to the holder before the kicker kicks the ball into the net. Additionally, what is need is a collapsible kicking net that captures the ball in an elevated area to prevent the ball from rolling on the ground and makes it easier to retrieve the ball to set up another kick.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To minimize the limitations in the prior art, and to minimize other limitations that will become apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, the present invention discloses a new and useful kicking net, which is collapsible, captures the ball in an elevated area to prevent the ball from rolling on the ground and makes it easier to retrieve the ball to set up another kick, and allows a snapper to snap a ball to a holder to simulate a complete field goal attempt.

One embodiment of the invention is a kicking net, comprising: a frame; and a net; and

wherein the frame has a base portion, and a top portion. The base portion is attached to the top portion at a middle hinge. The net is attached to the top portion of the frame. The middle hinge has a height, and wherein the height of the middle hinge is such that a snapped ball passes through the base portion of the frame and under the middle hinge from a rear side of the frame to a front side of the frame without contacting the frame or the net. The net arrests the ball after it is kicked by a kicker at a top portion of the frame. Preferably, the frame is collapsible. The top portion of the frame preferably has a front opening and a back net support portion. The back net support portion of the top portion of the frame is preferably comprised of two bottom frame bars, wherein the two bottom frame bars are connected to the middle hinge. The bottom portion of the net is preferably attached between the two bottom frame bars such that the ball that is kicked into the net is captured by the bottom portion of the net. Preferably, the ball that is captured by the bottom portion of the net is held to a rear of the middle hinge. The base portion of the frame is preferably comprised of a rear support loop and two front legs. The net is preferably removable from the top portion of the frame.

Another embodiment of the invention is a kicking net, comprising: a frame; and a net; wherein the frame has a base portion, and a top portion; wherein the bottom portion is attached to the top portion at a middle hinge; wherein the net is attached to the top portion of the frame; wherein the middle hinge has a height, and wherein the height of the middle hinge is such that a snapped ball passes through the bottom portion of the frame and under the middle hinge from a rear side of the frame to a front side of the frame without contacting the frame or the net; wherein the net arrests the ball after it is kicked by a kicker at a top portion of the frame; wherein the frame is collapsible; wherein the top portion of the frame has a front opening and a back net support portion; wherein the front opening is defined by a top frame crossbar and two angled front frame sidebars; wherein the back net support portion of the top portion of the frame is comprised of: two bottom frame bars; two rear frame sidebars, and two top frame bars; wherein the two bottom frame bars and the two angled front frame sidebars are connected to the middle hinge; wherein a bottom portion of the net is attached between the two bottom frame bars such that the ball that is kicked into the net is captured by the bottom portion of the net and is held to a rear of the middle hinge; wherein the base portion of the frame is comprised of a rear support loop and two front legs; wherein the net is removable from the top portion of the frame.

Another embodiment of the invention is a kicking net, comprising: a frame; and one or more nets. The one or more nets are comprised of a top net. The frame has a base portion, a top portion, and a middle portion. The middle portion is a bottom of the top portion and is a top of the base portion. The top net is attached to the top portion of the frame such that an interior of the top portion of the frame is covered by the top net. The top net arrests the ball after it is kicked by a kicker at a top portion of the frame. The net of the kicking net preferably includes a bottom net, which is preferably removably attached to the base portion of the frame. The middle portion has a height that, when the bottom net is removed, a snapped ball passes through the frame and under the middle portion from a rear side of the frame to a front side of the frame without contacting the frame or the net. Preferably, the middle portion is further comprised of a shelf, wherein the shelf is on a rear of the middle portion, and wherein the ball that is kicked into the top net is captured by the top net and held on a top of the shelf. Preferably, the frame is collapsible. Preferably, the top net is removable.

It is an object of the invention to overcome the limitations of the prior art.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a kicking net that is portable, easy to set up, easy to break down, and inexpensive.

The invention is a kicking net that does not have a net on the lower or base portion, or the net on the base portion is removable, so that a ball can be hiked, snapped, or otherwise passed through the kicking net, set up for a field goal kick attempt.

The kicking net has a frame that is sturdy and balanced such that a football kicked at the frame will be arrested by the net, but the frame will not be moved. Although the net may be designed to deliver the ball back to the holder or kicker, the net preferably captures the ball at the middle portion or crossbar such that the user may easily retrieve the balls.

Other features and advantages are inherent in the invention, as claimed and disclosed, will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and its accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of the kicking net invention.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a side view of one embodiment of the kicking net invention and shows that a ball may be snapped through a base portion of the kicking net and that a kicked ball may be captured by the net.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of the kicking net invention and shows the shelf raised.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of the kicking net invention and shows the shelf lowered.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of the kicking net invention and shows the net and the shelf lowered.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of the kicking net invention and shows the net and shelf raised.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of the kicking net invention and shows the base portion of the frame not covered by the net.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of the kicking net invention.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a side view of one embodiment of the kicking net invention and shows how a kicked ball is captured by the net and comes to rest on the shelf.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of the kicking net invention and shows the kicking net collapsed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various aspects of one or more embodiments of the invention. However, one or more embodiments of the invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and/or components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of embodiments of the invention.

While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the screen shot figures, and the detailed descriptions thereof, are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Also, the reference or non-reference to a particular embodiment of the invention shall not be interpreted to limit the scope of the invention.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of the kicking net invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the kicking net 1 includes frame 2, and net 3. Frame 3 preferably has base portion 4, and a top portion 5. FIG. 1 shows that the base portion 4 is preferably attached to said top portion 5 at a middle hinge 6. The net 3 is preferably attached to the top portion 5 of frame 2. FIG. 1 shows that the middle hinge 6 has a height such that a snapped ball may pass through the base portion 4 of the frame 3 and under the middle hinge 6 from a rear side of the frame 2 to a front side of frame 2 without contacting the frame 2 or the net 3. The net 2 preferably arrests the ball after it is kicked by a kicker at the top portion 5 of the frame 2.

FIG. 1 shows that the joints of the frame 2 are hinged such that the frame is collapsible for easier transportation. When being transported, the net is preferably removed from the frame 2.

FIG. 1 shows that top portion 5 is preferably comprised of front opening 7 and back net support portion 8. As shown, front opening 7 is defined by a top frame crossbar 40 and two angled front frame sidebars 41, 42. Although the two angled front frame sidebars 41, 42 may be at any angle with respect to a plane that is perpendicular to the ground, the angle is preferably thirty degrees or so. As shown in FIG. 1, the back net support portion 8 preferably includes two bottom frame bars 43, 44, two rear frame sidebars 45, 46, and two top frame bars 47, 48. Preferably the two bottom frame bars 43, 44 and the two angled front frame sidebars 41, 42 are connected to middle hinge 6. FIG. 1 shows that the net 3 preferably has a bottom portion 11 that is attached between the two bottom frame bars 43, 44 such that a ball that is kicked into the net 3 is captured by the bottom portion 11 of the net 3 and is held to a rear of middle hinge 6.

FIG. 1 shows that the base portion 4 of frame 2 is comprised of a rear support loop 49 and two front legs 50, 51. Although FIG. 1 shows that the frame 2 may be a single piece, the frame may be multiple bar portions connected together. For example, joints 52, 53 allow the rear support loop 49 and the rear legs 54 to telescopically connect together.

The frame bars 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, and 51 are preferably made of plastic, aluminum, or a light weight wood, but they can be made out of any natural or man-made material without deviating from the scope of the invention. Additionally, the frame bars 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, and 51 may be rigid or flexible.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a side view of one embodiment of the kicking net invention and shows that a ball may be snapped through a base portion of the kicking net and that a kicked ball may be captured by the net. As shown in FIG. 2, the kicking net 1 preferably includes frame 2, net 3, top portion 5, base portion 4, middle hinge 6, front opening 7, bottom portion 11 of net 3, angled front frame sidebar 42, bottom frame bar 43, rear frame sidebar 45, top frame bar 48, rear support loop 49, front leg 50, joint 52, and rear leg 54. FIG. 2 shows how the net 2 is preferably only attached to top portion 5, and is not attached to base portion 4.

FIG. 2 shows how the net 2 is preferably loosely attached to rear frame sidebar 45 and top frame bar 48 such that the impact of ball 300 into the net 2 is dissipated, and the ball 300 is arrested in a controlled manner by net 2. FIG. 2 also shows how ball 300 ultimately is captured on top of the bottom portion 11 of the net 3 and is held to a rear of middle hinge 6 within top portion 5. In this manner, a user may easily gather a plurality of captured balls without having to scramble around on the ground for the balls. The bottom portion 11 of net 3 must be substantially taut in order to prevent the captured balls from sagging too far below the middle hinge and thus interfering with the ball 300 as it is snapped from a rear of kicking net 1 to a front of kicking net 1. FIG. 2 shows how the ball 300 is easily snapped through a base portion 4 without touching the frame 2 or net 3.

Although FIGS. 1 and 2 show a specific shape of the frame 2 and a specific weaving of the net 3, it should be understood that the frame 2 may be any shape and the net 3 may have any weave without deviating from the scope of the invention.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of the kicking net invention and shows the shelf raised. As shown in FIG. 3 the kicking net 10 preferably includes frame top portion 15, frame middle portion 17, shelf 19, frame base portion 21 and 23, and joint hinges 30 and 31. FIG. 3 shows how the middle portion 17 preferably forms a bottom of the top portion 15 and a top of the bottom portion 21, 23. The bottom portion 21, 23 and middle portion 17 preferably define an opening 35 that allows a ball to be passed through the frame and below the middle portion 17 without touching any part of the frame. FIG. 1 shows how the shelf 19 may be in a raised position, such that the base of the shelf 19 is parallel to the ground. Preferably, the frame and shelf 19 are made from light materials such as aluminum, wood, or plastic, but the frame may be made from any man made or natural material without deviating from the scope of the invention.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of the kicking net invention and shows the shelf lowered. As shown in FIG. 4, the shelf 19 of kicking net 10 may be swiveled down on the frame middle portion 17, such that the base of the shelf 19 is perpendicular to the ground.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of the kicking net invention and shows the net and the shelf lowered. As shown in FIG. 5, the kicking net As shown in FIG. 5, the kicking net 10 preferably includes top net 100 and bottom net 105. Top net 100 is preferably attached to the frame top portion 15 and bottom net 105 is preferably attached to frame base portion 21, 23. FIG. 5 also shows the shelf 19 in the down position. Top net 100 and bottom net 105 are preferably detachable or removable from the frame. Detaching the top net 100 and bottom net 105 allows the user to more easily move or collapse the kicking net 10.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of the kicking net invention and shows the net and shelf raised. FIG. 6 shows the kicking 10 with top net 100 and bottom net 105 and with shelf 19 in the raised position.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of the kicking net invention and shows the base portion of the frame not covered by the net. FIG. 7 shows the kicking 10, as preferred, with top net 100 attached to the frame, bottom net 105 removed from the frame, opening 35, and with shelf 19 in the raised position. FIG. 7 shows how the bottom net 105 has been removed from the frame base portion 21, 23. The top net 100 and bottom net 105 may be attached to the frame via any device, including, but not limited to snaps, straps, chains, or hook and loop closures. FIG. 7 also shows that with bottom net 105 removed, a ball may now be passed or snapped freely through opening 35 of bottom portion 21, 23 and under frame middle portion 17.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of the kicking net invention. FIG. 8 shows that even with the shelf 19 of kicking net 10 lowered into the down position, a ball may still be passed through the opening 35 in bottom portion 21, 23, and under shelf 19.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a side view of one embodiment of the kicking net invention and shows how a kicked ball is captured by the net and comes to rest on the shelf. FIG. 9 shows a preferred embodiment of the kicking net 10, which includes top net 100, frame top portion 15, frame base portion 21, 23, shelf 19, and opening 30. FIG. 9 shows how top net 100 arrests the flight of a kicked ball 300, when the ball is kicked through frame top portion 15. The ball is then captured between top net 100 and shelf 19. The shelf 19 makes it easy for a user to walk up to kicking net 10 and retrieve the captured balls 300. Alternatively, if shelf 19 is not present the balls 300 may be captured just rear of the frame middle portion crossbar 305. In another embodiment, without a shelf 19 or crossbar 305, the ball 300 is preferably returned to the holder, snapper, or kicker.

The ball 300, before it is kicked into kicking net 10, is preferably first snapped, passed, or hiked through opening 35 from a snapper to a holder or punter. The holder would then place the ball 300 on the ground and the kicker would kick the ball 300 into top net 100. A punter would simply punt the ball 300 directly into top net 100.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of the kicking net invention and shows the kicking net collapsed. FIG. 10 shows how kicking net 10, with the nets removed, is preferably fully collapsible, at joints 30 and 31. FIG. 10 also shows how the shelf 19 is fully rotatable such that it may be collapsed along with the frame.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the above detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the detailed description is to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Also, although not explicitly recited, one or more embodiments of the invention may be practiced in combination or conjunction with one another. Furthermore, the reference or non-reference to a particular embodiment of the invention shall not be interpreted to limit the scope the invention. It is intended that the scope of the invention not be limited by this detailed description, but by the claims and the equivalents to the claims that are appended hereto. 

1. A kicking net, comprising: a frame; and a net; wherein said frame has a base portion, and a top portion; wherein said base portion is attached to said top portion at a middle hinge; wherein said net is attached to said top portion of said frame; wherein said middle hinge has a height, and wherein said height of said middle hinge is such that a snapped ball passes through said base portion of said frame and under said middle hinge from a rear side of said frame to a front side of said frame without contacting said frame or said net; and wherein said net arrests said ball after it is kicked by a kicker at a top portion of said frame.
 2. The kicking net of claim 1, wherein said frame is collapsible.
 3. The kicking net of claim 2, wherein said top portion of said frame has a front opening and a back net support portion.
 4. The kicking net of claim 3, wherein said back net support portion of said top portion of said frame is comprised of two bottom frame bars, wherein said two bottom frame bars are connected to said middle hinge.
 5. The kicking net of claim 4, wherein a bottom portion of said net is attached between said two bottom frame bars such that said ball that is kicked into said net is captured by said bottom portion of said net.
 6. The kicking net of claim 5, wherein said ball that is captured by said bottom portion of said net is held to a rear of said middle hinge.
 7. The kicking net of claim 6, wherein said base portion of said frame is comprised of a rear support loop and two front legs.
 8. The kicking net of claim 7, wherein said net is removable from said top portion of said frame.
 9. A kicking net, comprising: a frame; and a net; wherein said frame has a base portion, and a top portion; wherein said base portion is attached to said top portion at a middle hinge; wherein said net is attached to said top portion of said frame; wherein said middle hinge has a height, and wherein said height of said middle hinge is such that a snapped ball passes through said base portion of said frame and under said middle hinge from a rear side of said frame to a front side of said frame without contacting said frame or said net; and wherein said net arrests said ball after it is kicked by a kicker at a top portion of said frame; wherein said frame is collapsible; wherein said top portion of said frame has a front opening and a back net support portion; wherein said front opening is defined by a top frame crossbar and two angled front frame sidebars; wherein said back net support portion of said top portion of said frame is comprised of: two bottom frame bars; two rear frame sidebars, and two top frame bars; wherein said two bottom frame bars and said two angled front frame sidebars are connected to said middle hinge; wherein a bottom portion of said net is attached between said two bottom frame bars such that said ball that is kicked into said net is captured by said bottom portion of said net and is held to a rear of said middle hinge; wherein said base portion of said frame is comprised of a rear support loop and two front legs; and wherein said net is removable from said top portion of said frame.
 10. A kicking net, comprising: a frame; and one or more nets; wherein said one or more nets are comprised of a top net; wherein said frame has a base portion, a top portion, and a middle portion; wherein said middle portion is a bottom of said top portion and is a top of said base portion; wherein said top net is attached to said top portion of said frame such that an interior of said top portion of said frame is covered by said top net; and wherein said top net arrests said ball after it is kicked by a kicker at a top portion of said frame.
 11. The kicking net of claim 10, wherein said one or more nets further comprises a bottom net; wherein said bottom net is removably attached to said bottom portion of said frame.
 12. The kicking net of claim 11, wherein said middle portion has a height, and wherein said height of said middle portion is such that when said bottom net is removed a snapped ball passes through said frame and under said middle portion from a rear side of said frame to a front side of said frame without contacting said frame or said net;
 13. The kicking net of claim 12, wherein said middle portion is further comprised of a shelf, wherein said shelf is on a rear of said middle portion, and wherein said ball that is kicked into said top net is captured by said top net and held on a top of said shelf.
 14. The kicking net of claim 13, wherein said frame is collapsible.
 15. The kicking net of claim 14, wherein said top net is removable. 